Fluid bearing



1937- J. B. CRANE ,070,115

FLUID BEARING Filed NOV. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 9, 1937. J. B.CRANE I 20?@,n3

v FLUID BEARING Filed Nov. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb; 9,1937 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE 2,070,115 mum BEARING John BeattyCrane, Aberdeen, Wash.

Application November 1, 1934, Serial No. 751,080 6 Claims. (oi. soc-'9)My present invention, in its broad aspect, has to do with improvementsin bearings of the type wherein the moving parts are subjected to aminimum. frictional coefficient, by reason of the fact that all bearingsurfaces operate upon fluid or oil cushions as distinguished from oilfilms, and wherein the pressure of the oil cushion is built up to apredetermined point as speed of operation increases and there sustainedautomatically. In its present application my invention is shown asfunctioning as an anti-frictional fluid suspension of a completegenerator unit, but it is to be understood thatthe broadinventiveconcept underlying the present detailed disclosure is capableof wide application in a variety of specific forms.

In order to more clearly define the advantages and unique structuraldetails of my bearing, it may be here briefly stated that itcontemplates generally the provision of relatively extensive spacingbetween opposed bearing surfaces; the cavities thus formed constitutingoil or fluid chambers; and the provision of an automatically controlledpumping system in a closed unit of oil or fluid distribution associatedwith the oil chambers whereby pressure is built up within the system andchambers sufficient to support the weight of the moving parts so thatthere is a-fluid suspension of such parts with the bearing surfacesoperating wholly upon the oil contents of the chambers therebyaccomplishing complete fluid suspension withthe result that frictionallosses are reduced to a minimum. A unique and necessary feature of myinvention is the provision of screw or worm devices on the moving partsper se for directing the flow of lubricant and building up pressure atthe points where frictional losses would ordinarily bethe greatest andwhere fluid suspension of the parts is centered. In operation andconstruction my invention is very simple and wholly automatic, and.there are no parts which require minute adjustment or which are sofragile as to necessitate careful handling or frequent repairs.Furthermore, means are provided for renewing oil contents or flushingthe bearing, and for relieving excess pressure, and there are nointennal intricate parts which will necessitate tearing down the hearingfrom time totime to make replacements or for repairs or adjustments'. Asheretofore stated my hearing is self-sustained and wholly automatic andis applicable to various In the drawings wherein is illustrated apreferred form and several modifications 01' my invention;

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a bearing and suspension unit for agenerator the moving parts of which are wholly suspended from the top;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of a bearing and suspension unit for agenerator which is fluid supported from the bottom, and

Figure 3 is a section of a bearingand suspension unit for a horizontalshaft.

In the drawings wherein like characters of reference are used todesignate like or similar parts throughout the several views The numeral(I) designates conventionally a generator of a well known type rotatingon a vertical axis and having the usual shaft (2). There is a bearingblock. (3) about the shaft (2) of a size and type sufficient to supportthe weight and load of the generator. There is a collar either formedintegrally with the shaft (2) or shrunk on the shaft or otherwiseattached to it in any suitable manner; this collar is designated (4) andis received in the larger of two communicating bores (5) and (6) in thebearing block so that the under bearing surface (1) of the collar isopposed to the upper bearing surface (8) of the block.- If desirable thecollar (4) may be made of suitable aluminum alloy to avoid excessweight; .or it can be fashioned like a drum or the like. The peripheralsurface of the shaft (2) received in the bore (6) is spirallygrooved,'and so also is the peripheral surface of the collar (4), butthe directions of the spiral grooves are opposite; and each has receivedtherein a spiral spring or split spring, respectively (9) and (Ill), sothat when the generator is rotated the springs feed respectively up withrespect to spring (In) and down with respect tospring (9). It is to beunderstood that the spaces between the bores (E) and (t) andbearingsurfaces (1) and (8) are exaggerated in the drawings to more clearlyillustrate the parts and operation of my invention. The under face ofcollar (d), or bearing surface (I) is concave or slanted upwardly towardthe shaft (2) as shown in Figure 1, and the outer edge is provided withan annular lip (ii) formed with a series of oil channels (l2) thepurpose of which'will hereafter appear.

Leading into the bore (5) is an oil supply pipe (i3) having a checkvalve (ll) and'receiving its supply from a pump (not shown), and

on the opposite side of the bearing block are 5 a series of pipesconstituting a closed system of fluid distribution having an intake pipe(l5) provided with a valve (15a) and a filter (it) and a valved drainpipe (l1) and a valve (l8), and leading into a vertical pipe (19)carrying a pressure gauge (20) and a valve (2i) above the gauge andanother valve (22 below the gauge. At the ends of pipe (l9) aretwo-outlet fittings (23) respectively connecting the two upper returnpipes (24) and (25) and the two lower return pipes (26) and (21) withthe pipe (l9) from the bores (5) and (6) respectively. Pipes (24 and(26) have throttle valves therein the purpose of which will appear.

The foregoing parts refer especially to Figure 1, and the operation isas follows:--.Assuming that all oil spaces are filled including pipes(l5), (l3), (l9),(24), (25), (26), and (21). In this condition theannular lip (I I) is resting upon the upper bearing surface (8)supporting the entire weight of the generator (I from the block (3). Thegenerator, which may be a turbine generator, is now put in motion byopening the water gate thereto, in which case the oil pump (not shown)and which is operatively connected in any suitable manner with thegenerator through an electricalcircuit, is set in operation,

thereby pumping oil into the bearing and building up pressure betweenthe opposed bearing surfaces (1) and (8) forming a cushion (28) and asthe oil pressure per square inch increases to a point where it overcomesthe weight of the rotating unit represented by the generator, the.generator unit will rise to increase the oil space anddispose the partsin the position shown in Figure 1-; and since the respective spiralsprings (9) and ID) are opposed to each other with re'- spect to theiraction the oil in thespaces about the peripheral surfaces of the shaft(2) and collar (4) will be urged toward the cushion (28) and circulationof oil will be setup in pipes (15), (I9), (24), (26) and (21). At thispoint in the operation the entire generator unit is supported on the oilcushion ('28) and friction is reduced to a minimum; at the predeterminedpoint of built' up pressure and consequent rise of the generator unitand shaft (2) the relay in the pump circuit, designated (29), will bebrought in operation. This relay is so constructed that its windings aretoo weak to pull up the relay bar (30) of the armature (3|) on accountof the weight of the relay bar. Said bar hasits windings so arrangedthat its outer end is a solenoid magnet. The outer or solenoid end ofthe bar is in the path of the contact arm (32), and before the generatorunit started to rise the contact points on bar (30) and arm (32) were soclose that they had seized as a stud will on arelay' assembly to preventdirect contact. In this position the circuit is closed and theelectromagnet is energized, closing the circuit to the pump; but whenthe generator unit reaches the desired height the space between therelay bar (30) and arm (32) is widened to the point where the bar isunseized and permitted to drop of its own weight, thereby opening theswitch (not shown)' and putting the pump out of operation, in which caseno more oil is pumped into the system. The system is now in substantialequilibrium, with oil being circulated out of pipe (15) and into theperipheral surface of the collar (4) to lubricate that part of thebearing which would not reaovaiis ceive a supply of oil at this time;the throttle valve should be only slightly open. The pipe (25) on theother hand is open and discharges its contents at a point (first turn)where it will be taken up by-the spiral member (9) and urged down towardthe cushion (28). The same sequence of operation applies to the oil inpipes (26) and (21), except that oil from pipe (21) is urged upwardlytoward the cushion. Bearing surfaces should be as far apart as possible,and at the same time insure practical operation, since the advantages ofmy present invention reside rather in the provision of an oil cushioninstead of the usual oil film. Bearing surfaces in my present assemblyslick around upon an oil cushion or body, rather than operate on a filmas in conventional assemblies.

Since oil pressure will be continuously built up by the action of thespiral members, adjustment of the flow is made through throttle valves(21) and (22) to permit pipes (25) and (21) to deliver oil as fast asthe hearing will take it to maintain a balance. When it is desired tochange oil, the drain pipe is opened and the system will quickly purgeitself, replacement being affected through the pump and pipe (l3) and tochange the cartridge in oil filter ('16) it is merely necessary to closevalves (2|) and (22) and valve (15a). The oil having been changed andthe filter'cartridge replaced, the valves are reset as originallydescribed and the operation of the system resumed.

It may be pointed out here'that theprovision of an oil "cushion asdistinguished from an oil film, and the method of controllingautomatically the input of oil, building up ofpressure, and sustainingthe pressure at a predetermined point, are the principal novel featuresof my invention; as well as the principle of supporting the rotatinggenerator assembly on the oil cushion. The function of the pump is toraise the initial pressure and replace oil which may be lost or removed,and while the respective parts of the electrical circuit are admittedlyold, the application of the pump and circuit to present use isbelievedto be distinctly novel. If desired oil seals may be used, as at(33). i

In Figure 2, an arrangement is shown embody ing my invention wherein thegenerator unit is supported at its base rather than suspended as inFigure 1. The shaft (2') at the under part of the generator (I') carriesthe collar (4) and the bearing block (3') has a cavity (34') with aclosedbase (35') the upper surface of which, designated (36')is thebearing surface opposed to the concave bearing surface of the collar(4'); when the generator is rotated the oil cushion (28) is built upunder the collar (4') to raise the assembly. As to the upper part of theshaft (2') (13') as indicated by the arrow. In Figure 3 my invention isshown as applied to a horizontal ,shaft, with the oil supply beingfurnished from the cup (38");

It will be noted in Figure 2 that circulation of oil with respect to theupper part of shaft (2) is through a closed system represented by a toppipe (25a') a vertical pipe (l9a') with a valve (191)), and a lower pipe(21a') circulation being in the direction of the arrows, and the supplyhaving a gravity feed cup or reservoir (31'). In Figure 3, wherein thehorizontal shaft system is shown. the gravity oil cup (38") is locatedat motor pump to deliver oil does so through pipe the junction of pipes09'') and U"); pressure in this system is maintained by the opposedspiral springs (9") and (I 0") and may be regulated by adjusting valve0511").

From the foregoing it is believed that the operation and construction ofmy invention will be apparent. It is manifest that there is an oilsuspension of operating parts and that opposed moving parts areseparated rather by a cushion of oil than by a film; with the resultthat'frictional losses are radically reduced and the life of all partsgreatly increased, as well as maintaining increased smoothness ofoperation.

While I have described in the foregoing particular forms of myinvention; it is manifest that changes in structure and disposition maybe indicated to meet specific practical requirements Without departingfrom the spirit of my invention; and the right to make suchmodifications is emphasized provided they fall within the scope of whatis claimed.

I claim:--

1. A shaft bearing in combination, a shaft formed with a spiral grooveextending a portion of its length, a spring metal spiral member seatedin the groove and extending out to form a spiral ridge about the shaft,a bearing block about the shaft formed to provide an oil chamher inwhich the spiral member works, said shaft being mounted for slight axialmovement with respect to the bearing block, a system of fluiddistribution, a pump in said system, electrical control means for thepump, a protuberance on theshaft engaging an actuating member on thebearing to engage the electrical control to operate the same wherebyinitial pressure is built up in the chamber by the pump, to move theshaft tocushion the same on the body of oil under pressure in thechamber, and said spiral member operating to' sustain said pressure andcause the oil to circulate in said system.

2. A shaft bearing in combination, a shaft formed with series ofoppositely pitched spiral grooves in the surface thereof, spring metalspiral members seated in the grooves and extending out to form series ofoppositely pitched spiral ridges about the shaft, a bearing block aboutthe shaft on which the shaft is normally seated formed with an oilchamber in which the spiral members work, a system of fluiddistribution, a pump in said system, control means for the pump, anactuating member onrthe shaft for the control means for the pump tooperate the same whereby initial oil pressure is built up in the chamberby the pump, to move the shaft and cushion the same onthebody of oil inthe chamber, and said spiral members operating to maintain said oilpressure and to cause said oil to flow in the system of distribution.

3. A shaft bearing in combination, a shaft, a

'collar on the shaft, the under face of the collar being concave andhaving oil grooves in its peripheral edges, a bearing block about thecollar and forming a chamber beneath the same, said collar normallyseated on the bearing block said collar provided with a spiral groove inits surface, a spring metal spiral member-seated in the groove andextending out to form a spiral ridge about the collar, a system of oildistribution leading toa point above the spiral ridge and to -a pointcommunicating with the chamber below the collar, a pump in said system,and means actuated by said shaft for controlling the operation of saidpump to build up initial pressure in said chamber below the collar tolift the same from contact with the bearing block,, and said spiralridges operating to maintain said oil pressure to cause the oil tocirculate in the system of distribution.

4. A shaft bearing in combination, a shaft, a collar on the shaft, theunder face of 'the collar being concave and provided with oil grooves inits peripheral edges, said collar and shaft being movable and providedrespectively with oppositely pitched series of spiral grooves, springmetal spiral members in said grooves forming oppositely pitched seriesof ridges, a bearing block about the shaft and collar and forming achamber beneath the collar saidcollar normally seated on the bearingblock, a system of oil distribution leading to the bearing block, andmeans on the shaft for building up oil pressure beneath the concave faceof the collar to lift the collar from the bearing block, and said spiralridges operating to preserve said pressure and cause the oil tocirculate in the system of distribution.

5. A shaft bearing for generators in combination, shafts above and belowthe generator and supporting the same, bearings for the shafts, saidgenerator and shafts being slightly movable axially with respect tothebearing block, the lower bearing having a closed base normallysupporting the assembly of shafts and generator, a member carried on thelower shaft having a concave face opposed to the closed end of thebearing and oil channels in its edges, a system of fluid distributionleading to said bearings and to the space between the concave face andthe closed end of the lower bearing, spiral means carried by said uppershaft, and spiral means having a pitch the same as the upper spiralmeans carried by the lower shaft means ;for building up initial pressurein the fluid between the concave face and theclosed end of the lowerbearing for spacing the generator and shaft assembly from the bearingblock, and said spiral ridges operating to maintain said pressure andcause the oil to circulate in the system of distribution.

3. A. shaft bearing for generators and the like, in combination, a'shaftcarrying the generator, a bearing block about the shaft and normallydirectly supporting the shaft, an enlarged collar on the shaft, saidbearing block receiving the collar and having a face opposed to theunder face of the collar to form a chamber, said under face of thecollar being concave, meansfor building up initial pressure in thechamber to move the shaft and collar and generator to space the samefrom contact with the block, and spiral means having pitches opposed toeach other, a closed system of fluid distribution, and the spiral meansfunctioning to urge the fluid toward the chamber to sustain the oilpressure therein to cushion the weight of the generator and shaft.

JOHN BEA'I'I'Y CRANE.

